251. Doubly Fear Free

Jeremiah 39:17-18 NKJV But I will deliver you in that day,” says the LORD, “and you shall not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid. (18) For I will surely deliver you, and you shall not fall by the sword; but your life shall be as a prize to you, because you have put your trust in Me,” says the LORD.’ “

We have to be careful taking specific words given to one person and over generalizing them to all of us, but there are often principals that we can glean and draw on. This was a specific given by God, spoken through Jeremiah to an Ethiopian eunuch named Ebedmelech who served king Zedekiah. King Zedekiah had not listened to the Lord’s decree to surrender to the Chaldeans, because he was afraid then the Jews he had been harsh too who had already surrendered to the Chaldeans would harm him, even though God told him they would not, and ultimately was killed fleeing from their approaching army.

Sitting in prison along with most of the officials who had not fled the Babylonian attack, Jeremiah is prompted by the Lord to speak a prophetic word to Ebedmelech. Ebedmelech feared he would soon have a similar fate as his master had, but there was a huge difference. While Zedekiah failed to put his trust and confidence in the Lord, Ebedmelech had. Ebedmelech had faith that God would do all He said he would do. For that reason, Ebedmelech was to be free.

I love that God didn’t want Ebedmelech to suffer in fear he might additionally suffer because of the actions his master had taken, and sent Jeremiah to speak a promise of comfort to him. Father loves us that much. Not only will He give deliverance to those who put their trust in Him, but He also gives us assurance of it so we won’t live in fear. Ebedmelech’s confidence was a prophecy through Jeremiah. Our confidence and assurance comes through a Word too, the Word of God. In addition, we have been given His Spirit as a guarantee (2Co 1:22, 2Co 5:5).

Ebedmelch’s promise was that he would not die by the sword… and that part we can’t generalize for ourselves. I have no idea in what way my physical body may perish, but I do know I have nothing to fear, for I have an abundant life filled with God (John 10:10) here on Earth and an eternally abundant life with Him to follow. I have received assurance to this fact through the Word of the Prophet-King Jesus and by the ever indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. We are doubly free from fear. With our trust in Him we never have to fear because we have assurance of deliverance from death (Heb 2:15) and that life is a prize.